To see just how well the super-app works on the road, I tried it out in Berlin, where I live. I first clicked on the “Things to do” section, which lists 312 options for the German capital, many categorized according to themes such as “Jewish Berlin,” “Literary Berlin,” “Modern Architecture,” “Cold War History” and “Late-Night Clubbing.” A “For You” tab curates attractions based on your Google search and maps history, though it only works if you turn on the “Web & App Activity” option in your Google account settings. When you tap on a listing, the app displays operating hours, Google user reviews and a map.

With Donald Trump’s unlikely election as the next U.S. president, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany — a scientist by training, fluent in Russian and born 62 years ago in communist East Germany — is increasingly being seen as the last leader left in defence of the post-Second World War international order.

That was evident on Thursday in Berlin. The dramatic, somewhat emotional final meeting between Merkel and President Obama was a poignant and historic encounter.

During my first week in Berlin, which I had visited periodically, the love was instant, and I felt, mutual. Finally, a creative, pleasant city where things just worked and people didn’t scream. Transportation was smooth. My landlord was a sweetheart. People on the whole were really nice. And the beer was $3 instead of $7!
I realized how much I enjoyed being in an international city, unencumbered by constant nationalistic demands. I began to heal so much of the pain I felt living with my “ex-lover”, Israel.